Overview
- Loyola University Chicago confirmed Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt died Oct. 9 at age 106 and released a tribute from President Mark C. Reed.
- She served the university since 1991, became the men's basketball academic adviser in 1994, and later assumed the role of team chaplain.
- She gained international attention during Loyola’s 2018 Final Four run, drawing extensive media coverage and fan merchandise in her likeness.
- She recently stepped away from official duties for health reasons, with outlets reporting the timing as either August or roughly two weeks before her death.
- Her legacy includes a 2023 memoir, honors from Pope Francis and U.S. officials, a Loyola scholarship and endowment in her name, and surviving relatives Jeanne Tidwell and Jan Schmidt.